Halton Region Working to Keep Property Taxes Low in 2020

It’s no secret that owning a home in Halton can be pretty costly, however, there may be some relief soon. According to a recent press release, the region is working to keep property taxes low come 2020.

This report consists of guidelines that will aim to help the region maintain existing service levels for programs with identified pressures, including recent provincial funding announcements.

In addition, the guidelines will also work to keep property tax increases at or below the rate of inflation (2.0 per cent).

However, as mentioned, there is a lot more to the report than just keeping property taxes low. Approving this report, notes Halton Regional chair Gary Carr, is a crucial step in creating the region’s 2020 budget and business plan.

“Approving this report is an important step in developing the 2020 budget and business plan, which will continue to fund critical programs, services and infrastructure in Halton,” Carr said in a statement. “It lays the foundation for a budget that will maintain our strong financial position, keep property taxes low and support residents and businesses in our community—both in 2020 and beyond.”

And, according to the release, some of Halton’s budget priorities for 2020 include: public health, paramedic services, children’s services, employment and social services, waste management, transportation, growth of the water and wastewater system, long-term water meter strategy, basement flooding mitigation, as well as water and wastewater state-of-good-repair.

To achieve these targets, as noted in the release, staff will continue to focus on core services, ongoing improvement and finding efficiencies across all program areas.

“The 2020 Budget and Business Plan Council Meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2019, and the full Budget is scheduled to be considered for approval by Regional Council on December 11, 2019,” reads the release.